Johnson blow for QPR

17 September 2012 11:48

QPR striker Andy Johnson looks set to miss the majority of the season after suffering a serious knee injury during Saturday's goalless draw against Chelsea.

The 31-year-old was forced off in the first half of the Barclays Premier League stalemate at Loftus Road, with subsequent scans revealing the extent of the problem.

"Andy Johnson suffered an anterior cruciate ligament injury against Chelsea and is likely to be sidelined for the majority of the season," QPR posted on their official Twitter account.

Johnson, who has won eight caps for England, joined Rangers on a two-year contract in the summer after his Fulham deal expired.

The severity of the injury - sustained on Johnson's third appearance for the club - will come as a blow to manager Mark Hughes, who had expressed optimism the former Birmingham, Crystal Palace and Everton man would not be out for too long.

"AJ felt something in his knee. We hope he's going to be okay, but it's a little bit of a worry," Hughes told www.qpr.co.uk after the game.

"You need players like AJ in the squad because they give so much. We'll send him for a scan over the next few days and hopefully he'll be okay."

Rangers, who have picked up only two points from four games so far this season, will continue their search for a first win of the campaign at Tottenham on Sunday.